Forensic Scientist

Forensic Scientist

LIsa Black

Cape Coral, FL

Female, 49

I spent the five happiest years of my life in a morgue. As a forensic scientist in the Cleveland coroner’s office I analyzed gunshot residue on hands and clothing, hairs, fibers, paint, glass, DNA, blood and many other forms of trace evidence, as well as crime scenes. Now I'm a certified latent print examiner and CSI for a police department in Florida. I also write a series of forensic suspense novels, turning the day job into fiction. My books have been translated into six languages.

SubscribeGet emails when new questions are answered. Ask Me Anything!Show Bio +

Share:

Ask me anything!

Submit Your Question

989 Questions

Share:

Last Answer on July 21, 2022

Best Rated

Is it true that if someone testes positive or inconclusive for COVID-19 and they die no matter how their death is ruled as COVID-19 even if it is just a suspicion that they had the illness?

Asked by dfasdfasd about 6 years ago

Honestly, I have no idea. I don't believe we've had any cases in my town yet, or perhaps I don't know because the police department wasn't involved.

Also, only the coroner's or medical examiner's office can declare a cause of death, or the attending doctor if they're under a doctor's care at the time. It's not up to the police department or any other government agency.

What do you think the worst thing you age ever seen in your job so far is?

Asked by Richard over 6 years ago

Probably a small plane crash. And one terrible case of elder neglect.

Is investigative forensics the same as forensic science?

Asked by Chris74 over 6 years ago

Sorry, I answered this right away but somehow it didn't 'take'.

I'm not familiar with the term, but I would guess so.

Have you ever seen something that traumatized you before?

Asked by Saul about 6 years ago

There was a really bad case of elder abuse that I think I blocked out of my mind for the most part, because I can picture only a brief image of it while I remember everything else about the call. Other than that, no.

If fingerprints are collected from evidence that can be bagged, does this happen on the scene or later, at the lab? Has this procedure changed over time?

Asked by Satoko over 6 years ago

It hasn’t changed. In general it’s best to process an item at the scene so that handling and possible smudging is kept to a minimum, but it depends on many circumstances. If there isn’t a clean dry place to do it or if the person at the scene doesn’t feel their expertise is adequate for the particular item or mostly if the item needs other processing than the simple black powder or mag powder. If it’s a porous item like plastic or vinyl or paper and might need to be superglued or sprayed with dye, then it should be transported to the lab.

What IQ do you need to do this job minimum?

Asked by David over 6 years ago

As absolutely no agency I've ever heard of requires an IQ test for hire, I would have no idea.

Can a vehicle to cyclist collision pattern of injuries be similar to a fall from height?

Asked by CNAJ2 over 6 years ago

I”m sorry but I have no idea.